Document resource
The phrase ‘food is medicine’ has long been used to describe the numerous health benefits conferred by dietary modifications such as the well-known Mediterranean diet, which has been demonstrated to have cardiovascular benefits. 1 Further research has specifically examined the effects of plant-based diets on human health, with similar findings suggesting a reduction of cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even total mortality.2 Accordingly, the newest edition of Canada’s Food Guide heavily emphasises adoption of plant-based diets.3 Yet, we are now beginning to understand that the phrase ‘food is medicine’ may apply to our planet just as much as it does to human health.